In Linux, an alias is a custom shortcut for a command, letting you run a long or frequently used command with just a few keystrokes. This guide covers creating aliases, making them permanent so they survive a reboot, and loading them into your shell.
Step 1: Open the ~/.bash_aliases File
Keeping your aliases in a dedicated ~/.bash_aliases file is tidier than putting them straight into your .bashrc. Open it in an editor:
nano ~/.bash_aliasesStep 2: Define Your Alias
Add an alias in the form alias name="command". For example, this makes cds jump straight to your Scripts folder:
alias cds="cd ~/Scripts"Replace the command in quotes with whatever you want the alias to run.
Step 3: Check That ~/.bashrc Loads ~/.bash_aliases
Most distributions already include a snippet in ~/.bashrc that loads your aliases file. Open it and look for a block like the one below:
nano ~/.bashrcif [ -f ~/.bash_aliases ]; then
. ~/.bash_aliases
fiIf it’s already there, your aliases file is being loaded and you can skip the next step.
Step 4: Add the Loader (If It’s Missing)
If you didn’t find that block, add it to the end of your ~/.bashrc so your aliases file is sourced every time a shell starts:
if [ -f ~/.bash_aliases ]; then
. ~/.bash_aliases
fiStep 5: Reload Your Shell
Aliases are loaded when a shell starts, so to use them right away without opening a new terminal, reload your config:
source ~/.bashrcYour alias is now ready. Type it just like any other command:
cdsFrom here you can build up a whole set of aliases for the commands you type most, and because they live in ~/.bash_aliases, they’ll stick around and stay easy to manage.
Leave a Reply